First Listen: Depeche Mode – “Angel”

Earlier today, Depeche Mode held a press conference in Paris, France to officially announce their upcoming tour that kicks off in Tel Aviv in May 2013. The band also gave some details on the new album and premiered a new song that the community has dubbed “Angel”. You can stream the full press conference on our site.

Much like what Martin L. Gore stated at the press conference, the album will have a sound familiar to Songs of Faith and Devotion and Violator. “Angel” does not fail to deliver. Gahan’s vocals are raw, energetic, and passionate much like tracks from Songs of Faith and Devotion. The instrumentation on this song, though, does remind me of SOFAD, but I don’t hear the Violator in it…yet. Personally, it reminded me of “The Dead of Night” off of Exciter. Either way, “Angel” aims to please Depeche Mode fans and music lovers alike.

What do you hear when you listen to “Angel”? Give it a listen and tell us more!

Almost a psalm, a downtempo godspell with hard electronic bass synth sounds and changing dance beats. Although I remember Dead of night,s industrial effects, I would say it,s completely new, sophisticated (with those programmed drum beats that speed up as punk rhythm) song that brings a swell savoir faire.

It needs stronger drums, strings and oomph to get anywhere near SOF&D. I do hear elements of I Feel You but to me it sounds most like Corrupt from SOTU and therefore is lacking that magic touch of a more robust production (that earlier DM classic albums had )